15 Best Open-World Video Games Of The Decade (So Far)

3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Before The Witcher 3 everybody seemed to file away the previous two games as those titles you "really should play", yet never got round to. After Wild Hunt landed and proved CD Projekt RED are some of the most gifted and talented developers around though? We're all rushing to get completely caught up on Geralt of Rivia's cross-continental adventures. Witcher 3 is one of those games that could slot right into a dictionary next to the term 'Mind-blowing'. From the get-go you'll genuinely be amazed every few minutes by either how impeccably realistic and relatable the character interaction is, how nuanced the quest-givers are, how much you genuinely care about doing everything from slaying beasts to retrieving items for people - and best of all, how jaw-droppingly stunning the world is. If an open-world game should encapsulate a reason to traverse every inch of it, W3 has that in spades. Geralt's combat stance is a balletic dance of death, giving random encounters the flair they need to stay interesting no matter how many people you're fighting, his horse Roach is always on-hand (or hoof) to whisk you off to the next objective, and between a hearty mix of crafting, story missions and character development, it's a raucously paced tale that's become this generation's first truly legendary release.